WHAT'S NEW IN PHILADELPHIA?
Fall 2004 And Beyond

Philly and DC Team Up to Promote Destinations Featured in New National Treasure Movie to Debut in November

In November, Nicolas Cage will grab the attention of movie fans across the country as he races through the streets of Philadelphia and Washington, DC, in an Indiana Jones-style adventure involving America’s founding fathers and precious historic documents. To celebrate the movie, the two cities are teaming up to promote the sites and attractions featured in the film, including the National Archives and the Library of Congress in DC and the Liberty Bell Center and Independence Hall in Philadelphia. www.movietour.org

Ben Franklin’s 300th Birthday Is Cause for a Citywide Celebration in Philly

Learn to Salsa, taste exotic cuisine and shop for authentic ethnic wares during the Neighborhood Tourism Network’s immersion tours through some of Philadelphia’s most vibrant communities. Tours take place Saturdays from May through June and September through October. Themes include “Latin Soul, Latin Flavor,” “Voices of Chinatown,” “Philadelphia’s Civil Rights Struggle,” “Taking a Stand for Freedom” and “The Sound of Philadelphia.” (215) 599-2295, www.gophila.com

Food for Thought: Star Chefs, BYOBs And Farm-Fresh Products Are Hot In Philly

The BYOB craze, that’s short for “bring-your-own-bottle,” continues to run strong throughout the region. Although long established spots like Old City’s La Locanda del Ghiottone and the ever-popular Dmitri’s remain prototypes for this simple dining genre, newcomers, such as South Street’s Pumpkin and Passyunk Avenue’s Karina’s, are demonstrating delicious staying power...Also booming in the city are outdoor cafes with 109 restaurants providing alfresco dining options in Center City alone...For many Philadelphia chefs, the standards are high when it comes to selecting ingredients for their dishes. Those committed to using locally grown, farm-fresh products include: Farmicia, Django, White Dog Café and Coleman Restaurant at Normandy Farms...Star chefs are spicing up Philadelphia’s dining scene: Striped Bass alum Alison Barshak’s New American BYOB, Alison at Blue Bell, is bustling in the countryside. And, prolific restaurateur Stephen Starr proves he has the Midas touch with Iron Chef Morimoto at Morimoto and Ethiopian-native Marcus Samuelson at Washington Square.

20 Years, 2,000 Murals and Counting: Philadelphia’s Mural Arts Program Sets the Pace

Since its inception in 1984, the Mural Arts Program has completed more murals than any other public art program in the nation—with more than 2,300 murals throughout Philadelphia. The 20-year effort has brought art to the cityscape, turning graffiti-scarred walls into scenic views. The year-long anniversary includes a Mural Arts Month celebration for October 2005, including six art exhibits and dedications of 40 new murals. 1729 Mount Vernon Street, (215) 685-0750, www.muralarts.org

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts’ 200^th Anniversary Kicks Off in 2005 with New Hamilton Building for Contemporary American Art

The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts celebrates its 200^th anniversary year in 2005 with major exhibitions and the opening of the Hamilton Building, a dedicated facility for contemporary American works, which more than doubles its current exhibition space. In Full View: American Painting and Sculpture, on display from January 11 through April 10, 2005, offers a comprehensive look at the best of the Academy’s collection, while In Private Hands: 200 Years of American Paintings, is a collection of rarely seen iconic American works, on view from October 1, 2005 through January 8, 2006. 1301 Cherry Street, (215) 972-7600, www.pafa.org

The New World Café Live Delights Philly’s Music Fans

In October 2004, Philly’s award-winning radio station WXPN opened World Café Live, an innovative dining and concert venue and the broadcast studios of the World Café radio program, syndicated to more than 160 public radio stations nationwide. Located on University City’s burgeoning Left Bank, World Café Live offers music fans live music in a relaxed setting designed to capture the intimacy of WXPN’s flagship music program. 3025 Walnut Street, (215) 222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com

Hiking, Biking and “Walking on Sunshine,” Thanks to New Schuylkill River Trail

For months, cyclists and runners have been enjoying rides and runs on a riverside trail through the Schuylkill River Park, the new urban section of the 22-mile Schuylkill River Trail, connecting Center City Philadelphia to Valley Forge National Historical Park. The well-lighted trail makes for a terrific all-day bike ride (or a very ambitious jog). Additional landscaping is in the works. www.srdc.net

Longwood Gardens Aims to Reopen Gardens for 100^th Birthday in 2006

Chester County’s Longwood Gardens, best known for its dazzling holiday displays, will celebrate its 100^th anniversary with a $25 million renovation to be completed in 2006. Highlights include the reopening of the restored East Conservatory and the redesigned Children’s Garden. A new Organ Museum will open in fall 2005, giving visitors a chance to glimpse the newly restored 10,010-pipe organ and enjoy exhibits explaining the mighty instrument. Route 1, Kennett Square, (610) 388-1000, www.longwoodgardens.org

Independence Mall Redevelopment Adds New Attractions to Historic District

In just three years within three blocks, Philadelphia’s Historic District has welcomed three major attractions: the Independence Visitor Center, the National Constitution Center and the Liberty Bell Center, transforming—and enhancing—the city’s Revolutionary experience. More new developments are in store: On December 1, 2004, the Second Bank of the United States is set to reopen with a new exhibit that broadens the story of 18^th-century Philadelphia. Memorial Day 2005 marks the kick off of the Philadelphia Heritage Project, an annual summer-long celebration featuring storytelling, a heritage fair and tours. And, a month later, the National Constitution Center debuts Lincoln: The Civil War and the Constitution, taking a look at Abraham Lincoln's key Constitutional moments. 

The Beat Goes On: The Giant Heart Reopens at The Franklin Institute

The “Giant Heart” at The Franklin Institute Science Museum beats again after six months of intensive care. For 50 years, generations of visitors to Philadelphia have fallen in love with the walk-through educational—and sometimes romantic—model. The two-story heart (the accurate size for a 220-foot-tall human), which reopened in October 2004, features more hands-on interactive devices using the latest technology to explain various scientific concepts to both children and adults. 222 N. 20^th Street, (215) 448-1200, www.fi.edu

Philadelphia CultureFilesÔ Is the Essential Online Guide to the Region’s
Arts and Culture

Find and research your own story about Philadelphia online with Philadelphia CultureFilesÔ, an insider’s online guide to the region’s arts and culture. Found on gophila.com, CultureFilesÔ plots a veritable “what’s what” of the cultural world, with instant access to 300 fact-filled Web pages for 500 visitor-ready experiences in 13 categories, including dance, museums, music, sacred places, historic attractions, public art parks and gardens, film and theater. www.gophila.com/culturefiles

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) builds the region’s economy and image through destination marketing to increase the number of visitors, the number of nights they stay and the number of things they do in the five-county region. For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit www.gophila.com or call the Independence Visitor Center, located in Independence National Historical Park, at (800) 537-7676.

Note to Editors: photos of Greater Philadelphia are available in the photo gallery.

2004

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